Machine for treating yarn in skein form



p 6. 1937. w. F. GUINAN/ 2,076,429

MACHINE FOR TREATING YARN IN SKEIN- FORM Fi led Feb. 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l CONTROL AND TIMING MECHANISM INVENTOR Mum.

ATTORNEY April 6, 1937. w v N 2,076,429 MACHINE FOR TREATING YARN IN SKEIN FORM Filed Fb. 12, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 CONTROL Am; TIMING MECHANISM ATTO R N EY Patented Apr. e, 1937 MACHINE FOR TREATING YARN IN SKEIN FORM William Francis Guinan, Northampton, Mass", assignor to Hampton Company, Easthampton, Mass., a corporation of Massachusetts Application February 12, 1936, Serial No. 63,675

periodic movement, which purpose may usually,

be accomplished by virtue of placing the hank or skein of yarn on a stationary hollow, perforated metallic tube, the perforations being preferably along the top of the tub'eonly and hence in actual contact with the yarn, the whole being situated over a container for, the solution with which the cellulose is to be treated and where the design of the perforated tube or yarn support is such that a large volume of liquid at low pressure is continuouslyforced upward and through the yarn, thus causing the skein to slightly rise fromthe tube, or at least, portions of the skein to rise, due to the pressure exerted by the liquid through the tube orifices.

In such a type of equipment wherein the skein form rests on the perforations of the pipe, liquids are pumped through the perforations against the yarn which covers them, but when the yarn is periodically raised from in contact with the tube perforations as is the condition when the yarn is being turned to ensure even distribution of solution through the material being treated, and therefore uniform penetration of solution, the yarn during the interval when it is raised from the surface of the tube ceases to act as a baflie to control the flow of solution thereby ad- -mitting of a greatly augmented fiow of liquid through said perforations. This liquid, in order to escape, rushes out in a torrent, and forces its to the fibers as above indicated, especially when way through and to the bottom of the hank, me-

chanically injuring the individual filatures constituting the filament, opening up and rupturing the same.

This periodic, greatly augmented flow of liquid, especially when hot, due to its combined volume and weight, especially to the filaments which happen at that moment to be at or towards the bottom of the hank, often causes serious injury said fibers are of diminished tensile strength in e wet condition, as is usually the case with the hydrated cellulose fibers obtained from rayons,

as by the viscose, copper-ammonia, and denitrated nitrocellulose methods of manufacture;

This disadvantage is especially apparent in dyeing operations, and where the filaments are artificial as the rayons, or where the filaments contain a notable proportion of rayon filatures,

tion of heat and excess of dissolved reacting materials. strength in the wetted than in the dry condition.

If the pressure of the liquid passing through the tube perforations onto and in the yarn is reduced to the point where this disadvantage is substantially non-existent, when the hank is raised from the surface of the perforated tube, then it has been found that this diminished general pressure of liquids through the perforations results in inferior filament penetration, uneven action upon and in the cellulose, uneven and streaky dyeings being produced from improper and non-uniformpenetration of liquid. Likewise the dyeing or other treatment to which the cellulose is subjected must be prolonged for a correspondingly longer period, and it is difficult 1 otherwise to obtain satisfactory results.

The deterioration of the fiber by the sudden forceful increase in its weight and volume due to hot liquor being poured thereon, actually damages the fiber to a degree wherein an inspectlon of the dyed rayon is required at the completion of the operation, and a re-grading of the same as to quality, as based upon inspection. As a specific example, a 40s, 150 denier vicose rayon filament of grade A as determined by inspection before dyeing, will, upon completion of the dyeing operation wherein thehot liquid is allowed to outpour undiminished onto the skein, be found to have the A portion reduced by from 10% to 30% and sometimes more, and this deterioration 'in quality represents the presence of frayed, opened-up and ruptured filatures or filaments, directly traceable to the action of the periodic flooding of the hank with excess of hot solution.

In bleaching, washing, desulfurizing,'acidi1'y.- ing, dyeing, and analogous operations to which natural and synthetic silk, rayon and other fibers are subjected, corresponding losses in value areoften obtained when working with types of machines as heretofore described.

In accordance with the present invention mechanism is provided to stop the flow of dyeing liquor through the perforated skein support before the skein is lifted from that support in the turning operation. This mechanism maybe of several types, two of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings; but in any event should be arranged to obtain a quick enough cut oi! oi the liquor to avoid danger of itpourl ng out one or both sides of the skein when the latter is first lifted from the support,'and should also be ar- As a class the rayons have less tensile ranged to avoid a surge. oftheliquor when its flow is started which would tend to injure or dis-'- arrange the filaments in the skein, The present application is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No. 759,229, filed December 26,

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a dyeing machine embodying the invention, the control mechanism 'being in part shown diagrammatically; and

Fig. 2 is a similar view showing a modified construction'. 1

The type of dyeing machine to which this invention is more particularly applicable comprises a tank I'll for holding the liquid supply. such as dye, finishing solution or other treating. liquid, and suspension devices such as a perforated, liquid dispensing tube upon which the material to be treated is placed. For the purpose of '20changing the position of the material 29, such as skeins, hanks, cakes, etc., of silk, rayon'or other suitable material, there is rotatably mounted on the perforated tube II a pair of arms l2 and I3 and a connecting rod H in the form of a roller Arm I2 is journale'd'in a frame member l5 and a bracket |6 between which is a worm wheel II, keyed to the hub of the arm l2.

Shaft l8, which is carried by lugs upon brackets l6, carries a worm I9 to mesh with and drive the worm wheel I1, and therebyrotate roller rod ll about the tube II and thus admit of changing the position of the skeins or hanks of material 29 suspended upon the tube. Shaft I6 is driven by ,motor 2| through a chain and sprocket drive 85 22. Motor 2| is energized through a circuit 23, 24 at timed intervals in the usual manner through an appropriate control and timing mechanism indicated at 25.

The perforated tube passes through the cen- 40 ter of the skein or other material changing mechanism, and is connected to a manifold chamber 26 to which other similar tubes are connected if the machine is a multi-tubular one. The manifold chamber 26 is connected to the outlet 21 of a 45 a centrifugal pump 23 by a pipe line 29. Carried in the pipe line 29 is a check valve 30, so arranged as to prevent return of liquid to the pump when the latter is stopped. Thus the .column of liquid above the valve 39 acts as a dampener against the 50 surge of liquid created when the pump is restarted. An air chamber 3|, and its air cook 32,

is mounted on and communicates with the mahi- 'fold' "for the purpose-of further dampening the surge of liquid. due to the restarting of the pump. 5 A feedline 33 from the bottom of the tank II! to the inlet 34 of the pump 23 completes the fundamental liquid circuit. The pump 28 is driven by a motor 35 through a direct connection (not shown). It is to be understood that the illus- 60 trated form described herewith is diagrammatic only, and a number of additional pipe lines, valves, control levers, etc., are omitted for the V sake of clarity, and as not beiri'g'related directly to theinvention. 65 As themachine operates to change the position of the skein 29 on the perforated tube II, it is desirable, as pointed out above, to stop the flow of liquid through the tube so as to avoid possible injury to the lower loop of the skein because of 0 the increased volume of liquid discharged due to Ellie lifting of the skein from its contact with be H.

' In the form shown in Fig. 1 this is accomplished by inserting a relay switch 36 (normally closed) 75 in the circuit 31 of the pump motor 35, The

magnet 38 of switch 36 is energized through wires 39, 40 whic are in shunt to the circuit 23, 25 leading to the skein moving motor 2|. Thus the instant motor-2| is energized to turn the skeins 20 the relay 39 is also energized and opens switch 5 36 in the pump motor circuit 31, thus stopping the pump.

'When the skein-turning motor 2| has completed its work and is de-energized by the timing mechanism 25, relay 38 is also de-energized and [0 allows switch 36 to close and thus start pump 28.

' This arrangement-is such that irrespective of the timing or speed of theskein-moving mechanism,

[the pump is automatically stopped and started at precisely the proper instant. 15

A manual switch 35 in relay circuit 39, 40, when it is thrown open, allows the machine to be op erated in the ordinary manner.

In Fig. 2, the flow of liquid through perforated tube during the skein-turning operation is 20 stopped by replacing the check valve 30 in pump line '29 with a solenoid valve 50. This valve is closed when its solenoid is energized by the closing of a relay switch 5|, the magnet 52 of which is in a shunt circuit taken oif the skein-turning motor' 25 circuit 23, 24. Thus, when skein motor 2| is energized, magnet 52 is also energized to close switch 5|. Solenoid 50, thus energized, closes its valve and interrupts the liquid flow into tube H, the pump merely "churning" without circu- 130 lating the liquid during this period. Manual switch 53 in the circuit of the magnet 52, when opened allows the machine to be operated without the'automatic liquid shut-off.

I claim:

. 35 1. An apparatus for dyeing yarnin'skein form which comprises a skein supporting tube having perforations along its upper surface, means for the skein shifting means in such a manner that the discharge of dyeing liquor from the perforations in the tube is automatically arrested before the shifting means has raised the skein from the tube and remains arrested'untlfthe skein is again deposited on the tube.

2. An apparatus for dyeing yarn in skein form which comprises a skein supporting tube havin perforations along its upper surface, means for raising the skein from the tube and shifting its circumferential position thereupon, means for 5 controlling the discharge of dyeing liquor from the perforations in the tube, mechanism coordinating the operation of the means for controlling the discharge of the dyeing liquor and of the skein shifting means in such a manner that the discharge of dyeing liquor from the perforations in the tube is automatically ar-' rested before the shifting means has raised the skein from the tube and remains arrested until the'skein is again deposited on the tube, and means for preventing surgingof the dyeing.1iquor when its discharge through the perforations in the tube is resumed.

3. An apparatus fortreating yarn in'skein form which comprises a skein supporting tube having perforations along its upper surface, means for raising the skein from the-tube and shifting its circumferential position upon it, an

.electric motor for operating said skein raising the tube and the perforations therein, means for activating said electric motor at intervals, a relay connected to the motor circuit for activation simultaneously therewith, and mechanism controlled by said relay for permitting flow of dyeing liquor through said tube only when said motor is inactive and the skein raising'means is in its inactive position. v

4. An apparatus for treating yarn in skein form which comprises a skein'supporting tube having perforations along its upper surface, means for raising the skein from the tube and shifting its circumferential position upon it, an electric motor for operating said skein raising means, pumping means for forcing dyeing liq- .uor through the tubeand the perforations therein,- meansfor activating said electric motor at intervals, a relay connected to the motor circuit for activation simultaneously therewith, an electric motor driving said pumping means,

and connections between the relay and the lastnamed electric motor whereby said last-named electric motor will be stopped throughout the activation of the first-named electric motor for 25 causing the skein raising means to raise the skein from the tube and shift it thereon.

. 5. Anapparatus for treating yarn in skein form which'comprises a skein supporting tube having perforations along its upper surface, 30 means for raising the skein from the tube and shifting its circumferential position upon it, an electric motor for operating said skein raising means, means for activating said electric motor at intervals, a relay connected to the motor circuit for activation simultaneously therewith,-

centrifugal pumping means for forcing dyeing liquor, through the tube and the perforations therein, an electric motor driving the pumping means, connections between the relay and the last-named electric motor whereby said lastnamed electric motor will be stopped throughout the activation of the first-named electric motorv for causing the skein raising means to raise the skein from the tube and shift it thereon and a check valve interposed between the pumping means and the tube in position to preserve a column of liquid beyond the delivery. of the pump and thus to prevent surging of the liquid through the tube when the pump motor is started.

6. An apparatus for treating yarn in skein fornr which comprises a skein supporting tube having perforations along its upper surface, means for raising the skein from the tube and shifting its circumferential position upon it, an electric motor for operatingsald skein raising means, pumping means for forcing dyeing liquor through the tube and the perforations therein, means for activatingsaid electric motor at intervals, a relay connected to the motor v circuit for activation simultaneously therewith,

and a valve controlled by said relay for stopping the flow of liquor between the pumping means and said tube throughout the activation of the skein raising motor for causing the skein rais-- ing means to raise the skein from the tube and shift it thereon.

WILLIAM FRANCIS GUINAN. 

